Vetsch earns Wright County Commissioner seat

Darek Vetsch takes a phone call during his election party Tuesday night. Vetsch defeated Tom Perrault in the Wright County Commissioner District 2 race on Tuesday. (Photo by Tim Hennagir)

Darek Vetsch will represent Monticello and surrounding areas on the Wright County Board of Commissioners, after defeating Tom Perrault in Tuesday night’s election.

With all eight precincts reporting, Vetsch totaled 6,111 votes in the County Commissioner District 2 race. Perrault, who was the top vote-getter in the primary election, one that featured a much smaller turnout, received 4,614 votes. Vetsch won the Monticello precinct, which is the largest and was the last to report results, by a 2,711 to 2,111 margin.

The first-time politician said on Tuesday night that he is excited to begin his term.

“I look forward to January and stepping into this role,” said Vetsch. “I feel like I have a lot to offer to District 2 and Wright County as a whole.”

“I really want to thank my voters,” added Vetsch. “Tonight has been over-the-moon … to see the great support from everyone in the district … it’s kind of hard to put into words.”

Perrault, a long-time city council member in Monticello, received news at an election party in Buffalo on late Tuesday night that the outcome wasn’t likely to go his way.

“I’m starting to get bummed,” he said. “But, I ran for city council eight times. I won four and I lost four, and there is always a reason.”

Vetsch will take over the seat of Pat Sawatzke, who decided not to seek re-election and will be ending 25 years of government service.

Vetsch said that his priorities upon stepping into office will be areas such as health and human services, budgeting goals, and facilitating transportation needs. And he attributed his Tuesday night victory to a lot of help and support from around the community.

“I really want to thank the variety of individuals in the community that stepped forward to go out and advocate for me,” he said.